Runner device



H. C. LONG.

'RUNNEFLDEVICL APPLICATION F|LED MAY 8,1920- '1,380,91 5. Patented June7, 1921.

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HILLARY 0. LONG, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

RUNNER DEVICE.

Application filed May a, 1920. Serial no. 379,741.

To aZZ @071 am it may concern:

Be it known that I, HILLARY C. Lone, a citizen of the United States, andresiding at New York, in thecounty of New York and" State of New York,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Runner Devices, ofwhich the following is a specification, such as will enable thoseskilled in the art to which it'appertains to make and use the same. v p

This invention relates to runner devices and particularly to a device ofthis class adapted to be used by an acrobat or per former in performinga head balance on an inclined cable, and the object of the invention isto provide a runner device of the class and for the purpose specifiedwhich may be quickly and easily attached to the head of a performer, andwhich is so constructed as to provide a positive guide on a cable andwhich is provided with means for permitting of the free and steadymovement of the device on the cable without jerking or' jarring theperformer which would cause the loss of his balance; another object ofthe invention is to provide means for producing a steady brake action ofthe device when descending on a cable to retard the progress of thedevice thereon said means being constructed of such material as to takeup the wear, and particularly the wear and strain on the cable; and withthese and other objects in view the invention consists in a device ofthe class and for the purpose specified which is simple in constructionand operation and efficient in use, and which is constructed andoperated as hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, ofwhich the accompanying drawing forms a part, in which the separate partsof my improvement are des ignated by suitable reference characters ineach of the views, and in which: I

Figure 1 is a small diagrammatic view indicating the method of using therunner device;

Fig. 2 a partial longitudinal sectlon through the device and indicatingits relative position on a cable and in an inverted position;

Fig. 3 a plan view of the runner device with a part of the constructionshown 1n F ig. 2 omitted; and,

Fig. 4 a partial section on the line l4l of Fig. 2.

My improved runner device consists of a frame member 5 which, in theform of construction shown, is composed of a sheet metal plate of anapproximately elliptical form as shown in Fig. 3, and secured to oneface of the frame member 5 adjacent to one 7 end portion thereof are twoL-shaped members 6, the parts 7 of which extend at right angles to themember 5 and are spaced apart as shown in F ig, 3. An anti-frictionroller 8 is mounted between the parts .7 of

the plate 6 and rotatable on a pin 9 mounted therein. 7

A guide and alinement member 10 is secured to and extends longitudinallyof the frame member 5 and is in common alinement withthe anti-frictionshown in Fig. 3. The inner end portion. of said member is bent intohook-shaped form as shown at 11 and the sides of said member are bentupwardly to form an outwardly directed channel portion 12 on the member10 betweenthe hook-shaped end portion 11 and the outer end portionthereof. A fibrous bearing pad 13 is mounted in the channel 12 at theouter end portion ofthe member 10 and is held in place by wire loops14:, and said pad is provided with a longitudinal concave outer face 15in which the cable 16, in connection with which the device is used, isadapted to operate. I

Secured to the other face of the fram member 5 is a cushion ring 17,known in the profession as a Drumette, and in the form of constructionshown, is composed of a core 18 made of twisted rope covered by a casingof tape 19 around which is a felt casing 20. An elastic strap 21 issecured to the cushion ring 17 and is adapted to be passed beneath thechin of the wearer and serves to hold the runner device in positionon'the head.

I also provide a hood 22 which incloses, or partially incloses the framemember 5 and is so constructed as to firmly tit and conform with thehead of the wearer when the runner device is in position for use, andsaid hood may be composed of elastic material or of fibrous materialprovided with elastic inserts in the usual manner.

lVhen it is desired to use the device the same is placed upon the headof the performer or acrobat with that end of the frame member with whichthe anti-friction roller is connected at the front or forehead of theuser, and the strap 21 is placed beneath the chin as is diagrammaticallyillustrated in roller 8 as clearly Fig. 1, and the performer or acrobatbalances himself upon the top. of the inclined wire, and when properlybalanced descends on such wire in the manner indicated in- Fig. 1. Inthis operation, the anti-friction roller 8 takes the greater part of thethrust uponythe cable and permits of a free and even action of thedevice whilethe bearing pad serves to break or act in the manner ofadrag, on thecable, to govern the speed at whichthe performer or acrobatdescends upon the cable, but this breaking or drag gingaction by: reasonof the fibrous pad 13, which is preferably composed of leather, is veryeven and will regardless of the condition of the'cable permit of asmooth and steady movement of the runner device on such cable. It hasbeen experienced inmaking such performances, and when merely a channeledmetallicmember was employed as a "runner device, that under variouscondltions or in the presence of moisture, grease, etc. on the cable, ajerking or irregular action of the runner-device will be produced thuscausing the performer or acrobat to losehis balance and sometimesfatallyinjure himself, but with my improved construction 3 theseconditions areobviated.

. It will be apparent that when the bearing pad 13 is worn out anew padmay be readily substituted without any material cost, thus materiallyextending the life of the device.

- It will beunderstood that while I have shown certain details ofconstruction 1 for carrying myinvention into effect, I am notnecessarily llmited to these details, and vanous changes therein andmodifications thereof maybe made, within the scope of theap 'erate uponsaid cable, and an elongated channel-shapeddrag and brake device on saidframe-andadapted'to cooperate with said cable. c

A device of the class described comprising a frame, a roller mounted inconnection with said frame, a drag or brake device on said frame, acushion member mounted in connection with said frame, and means forsecuring the device in connection with the head of a user. I

y 3. A device of the class described comprising a suitable frame, agrooved roller rotatably mounted in connection with the frame, achannel-shaped member on said frame and in line with said groovedroller, and a fibrous bearing pad on said member.

4. A device of the class described comprising a suitable frame, agrooved roller rotatably mounted in connection with the frame, achannel-shaped member on said frame and in line with said groovedroller, a fibrous bearing pad on said member, and a hood mounted inconnection with said frame.

5. A device of the class described com'pris ing a suitable frame, agrooved roller rotatably mounted in connection with the frame,

a channel-shaped member on said frame and in l ne wlth said groovedroller, a fibrous bearing pad on said member, a hood mounted inconnection with said frame and a cush-- ion ring on said frame.

6. A device of the class described comprising a suitable frame, agrooved roller rotatably mounted in connection with the frame, achannel-shaped member on said frame and in line with said groovedroller,'a fibrous bearing pad on said member, a hood mounted in.connection with said frame, a cushion ring on said frame, and a strapfor securing the device to the head of a user. i

' 7. A runner device of the class described for use in performingacrobatic feats on a cable, said device comprising a suitable frame,means on said frame for permitting of the free action of the device on acable, means on said device for controlling and regulating the movementof the device on the cable, and means whereby the device may befirmlyheld in engagement with the head of the performer." I i g Intestimony that I claim the foregoing-as my invention 1 have signed myname in presence of the subscribing witnesses this 7th day of May, 1920.y

7 HILLARY C. LONG. Witnesses: e

C. E. MULREANY,

H. ETHOMPSON.

